Job summary We are seeking someone who is proactive and flexible to join our forward-thinking and dynamic speech and language therapy services based in our acute team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust. We also welcome interest from applicants seeking a developmental opportunity. Just get in touch! The team consists of 20 therapists and 5 assistants, covering a range of clinical areas including stroke, acute and head and neck oncology services. Our acute team offers support to patients with dysphagia and communication impairments on our inpatient wards in both hospitals, including respiratory and medical conditions, acute illness and critical care. We have access to on site videofluroscopy and FEES and are actively involved in research for example PLORAS and PhEAST. We will provide you with training and pastoral support and offer an outstanding learning and development package with a broad range of continuous professional development opportunities with in-service training and journal clubs. I'm sure you will find something to suit you! Please see our recruitment videos for therapieshttps://youtu.be/GhVNSbkYkX8 Main duties of the job To autonomously asses, diagnose and manage adult clients admitted to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital (TWH/MH) or Maidstone Hospital (MH) with swallowing and\or communication disorders To advise and support relatives, carers and medical staff in the care of these patients Where appropriate, to transfer\hand over information about these patients to residential\care homes and\or Community SLT services in a timely manner, to ensure a seamless service and to help prevent unnecessary readmissions. To advise and support relatives, carers and medical staff in the most effective means of facilitating communication - both verbal and non-verbal To participate in the Videofluoroscopy and FEES assessments To update and organise the online inpatient caseload documents daily so that there is appropriate and effective handover and prioritisation of patients at all times To help support the band 4 Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, providing patient centred therapy programmes and on-going guidance. To contribute towards the team's provision of student placements To undertake service developments and quality improvement programmes To participate in providing cover across the other parts of the SLT service (and sites) where appropriate To be part of the rota for enhanced weekend working About us Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey. We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre. Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms. Looking for flexible working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs. Click here to hear what our staff say. Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package: At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff). Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits Blue Light card eligibility And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below Details Date posted 22 December 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £38,682 to £46,580 a year Per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number 359-7632205-T3 Job locations Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells ME16 9QQ Job description Job responsibilities Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission. Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed. Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible. Job description Job responsibilities Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions before submission. Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed. Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date, so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree of portgraduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy Registered member of HCPC Desirable Level C RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies or equivalent experience Experience/Knowledge Essential Post-graduate experience with adults Experience of working in an acute setting Postgraduate experience or training in dysphagia Multidisciplinary team working Sound knowledge of SALT assessments used with adults in the acute setting Ability to diagnosie a full range of communication and swallowing disorders within clinical specialty Understanding of the principles of clinical governance Desirable Experience of supervising others Knowledge of relevant national policies and standards Knowledge/Experience of instrumental assessment Skills Essential Evidence of ongoing CPD/relective practice Able to apply theory to practice for patients on an acute caseload Conflict resolution/negotiation High level written and verbal communication skills Strong organisational and reflection skills Ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree of portgraduate diploma in Speech and Language Therapy Registered member of HCPC Desirable Level C RCSLT Dysphagia Competencies or equivalent experience Experience/Knowledge Essential Post-graduate experience with adults Experience of working in an acute setting Postgraduate experience or training in dysphagia Multidisciplinary team working Sound knowledge of SALT assessments used with adults in the acute setting Ability to diagnosie a full range of communication and swallowing disorders within clinical specialty Understanding of the principles of clinical governance Desirable Experience of supervising others Knowledge of relevant national policies and standards Knowledge/Experience of instrumental assessment Skills Essential Evidence of ongoing CPD/relective practice Able to apply theory to practice for patients on an acute caseload Conflict resolution/negotiation High level written and verbal communication skills Strong organisational and reflection skills Ability to prioritise and manage your own time effectively Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Address Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells ME16 9QQ Employer's website https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Address Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells ME16 9QQ Employer's website https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)